Automatic device for preventing ice formation in gutters and downspouts



Feb- 1, 1966 R.s1EM1ANowsK| 3,233,078

AUTOMATIC DEVICEFOR PREVENTING ICE FORMATION IN GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTSFiled May 6, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. l, 1966 R. slEMlANowsKl3,233,078

AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR PREVENTING ICE FORMATION IN GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTSFiled May 6, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gil Z/P' United States Patent Oii ice3,233,078 Patented Feb. 1, 1966 3,233,078 AUTOMATIC DEVICE FORPREVENTING ICE FORMATION IN GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS Roman Siemianowski,1647 N. Paulina St., Chicago 422., Ill. Filed May 6, 1963, Ser. No.278,107 8 Claims. (Cl. 219-213) This invention relates to lamoisture-sensitive devi-ce for automatically creating a liquid nowchannel in ice clogged drain gutters and associated downspouts when thesame becomes dammed up by ice formation therein. More in particular thisinvention relates to a moisture sensitive electric switch device incombination with a drain gutter or downspout having an electric heatingelement positioned therein.

Oftentimes accumulated snow on a roof begins to thaw particularly whenexposed to direct sunlight even though the shade temperature of theatmosphere is appreciably below the freezing point of water. During suchtimes the liquid water from the melting snow often trickles down thesloped roof into the drain gutter where it freezes into solid ice. Thusthe gutter soon becomes dammed with ice and consequently the gutterceases to function as a drain which often results, during subsequentthawing, in flow of water into the `Open space lbelow the roof throughthe soiiit of the eave thus rotting the lumber and causes other damage.Also since the water cannot drain down the gutter pipe or downspout itoverilows over the edges of the gutter and subsequent freezing causesformation of icicles.

One known means to overcome `the above ditliculty is to position anelectrical resistance type of heating element in cable or tape formalong the upper surface of the bottom of the gutter and extending itdown into the downspouts. Thus when the tape heating element iselectrically energized the heat evolved prevents liquid water enteringthe gutter from freezing therein and the water in liquid form drains anddischarges through the downspouts normally. However, this means forovercoming the aforesaid diculty has serious drawbacks for either thetape heating element must be electrically energized constantlythroughout the cold weather which wastes electric energy during periodswhen there is no snow or ice on the roof or, in the alternative, theelectric current must be applied by manual operation of a suitableswitch. The main disadvantage in the latter case is that one must beweather-observant constantly in order to make such a system economicallyoperative in the performance of its intended function.

The present invention ovencomes the aforestated difiiculty by providing,in combination with a gutter having an electric resistance heating tape,an electrolytic switch which automatically closes the circuit forenergizing the electric tape vduring the presence of water andconversely opens the circuit when water is eliminated. It is therefore aprime object of the present invention to provide an electrolytic switchwhich is in open circuit condition in the absence of water and in closedcircuit condition in the presence of water.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide anelectric heating system lfor forming a trough or channel in ice formedin gutters and associated downspouts employing the electrolytic switchof the preceding object wherein the system is energized only during aperiod when liquid water is present.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a watersensitive electrolytic switch which may in a simple manner be adaptedfor operation with existing drain `gutters and downspouts having anelectric resistance heating element for automatically inhibiting theformation of ice dams therein.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide ana-djustable device for forming a channel in the ice in drain guttersaccording to preceding objects at lowcost.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide automaticmeans `for energizing an electric heating element in a downspout forforming a channel in the ice therein which is independent of thecondition in the associated drain gutter.

These and other desirable and inherent objects will become more apparentfrom the ensuing description of preferred embodiments of the invention,the appended claims and the annexed drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a roof having a gutter and downspout,partly broken away, illustrating the electric resistance heating elementand electrolytic switch system of this invention in position foroperation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, ofone form of the electrolytic switch device of this invention; i

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the electrolytic switch of FIG- URE 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevation of the electrolytic switch of FIGURE 2showing additional construction details;

FIG. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5 5 of FIG- URE 3 butpositioned in a drain gutter illustrating construction details notapparent from the preceding figures;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partly broken away, illustrating oneelectrolytic switch unit in disassembled form;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the electric circuitry of thesystem shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 8 is a sectional View taken on line 8-8 of FIG- URE 3 showing anelectrolytic switch unit in assembled form on the supporting frame;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, ofa modified form of the electrolytic switch device of this inventionwherein the distance between the electrolytic switch unit and the bottomof the drain gutter is adjustable;

FIG. 1() is a plan view of the modified form of the device shown inFIGURE 9;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the device of FIGURES 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on line 12 of FIGURE 10,showing the construction of the electrolytic switch unit thereof;

FIG. 13 is a view, partly in section and partly broken away, of a systemfor de-icing of a downspout employing another modification of anelectrolytic switch device which is operative independent of thecondition of its associated gutter;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a disengageable electric connector adapted forelectrically interconnecting the power source to the electric heatingelement with `the modified form of electrolytic switch electricallyinterposed in the circuit of the Vsystem illustrated in FIGURE 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the connector of FIGURE 14; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the electric circuitry of thesystem shown in FIGURE 13.

Referring now to the drawing it will be seen from FIGURE 1 that thenumeral 10 indicates generally a building such as a house or home havinga sloped roof lll directed downwardly toward a drain gutter 12 having atleast one downspout 13 for collecting and conducting rainwater to asuitable discharge point in a conventional manner. The gutter 12 isusually mounted in secured relation to the outer edge portion of eavesformed by the juncture of the roof 11 with the vertical wall 14 as iscornlnonly known. An electric resistance type heating element in tapeform 15 is supported upon the upper side of the gutter 12 as is evidentfrom FIGURES 1 and 5 and may also extend downwardly within the downspout13. It will thus be appreciated that when the heating element 15 iselectrically energized the -heat evolved is sucient to prevent freezingof liquid water collected by the gutter 12 prior to the point ofdischarge directed by the downspout 13. The electrolytic switch devicefor automatically energizing the heating element 15 during the periodwhen the gutter 12 is collecting water from the roof 11 will now beexplained.

The electrolytic switch assembly, generally indicated at 16, comprises aframe 17 which may for convenience be of a substantially trapezoidal orU-shaped cross-section as is evident from FIGURES l and 5. The frame 17may be but not necessarily constructed of ordinary galvanized iron ofthe type commonly employed in the construction of gutters. On one endportion of the frame 17 is mounted in secured relation an electricenergy receiving male plug indicated at 18. The male plug 18 is ofconventional construction having three extending prongs L, N and G(FIGURE 3) adapted to be inserted in a corresponding female receptacle18 (FIGURE 1) lead- 'ing to a source of electric energy throughcorresponding lead wires L1, N1 and G1. The prong G is in directconnection with the ground through lead wire G1 for preventing t-heframe 17 and gutter 12 from becoming dangerously charged with electriccurrent. This is accomplished simply by rmly grounding the contact inthe power source female receptacle 18 corresponding to the prong G andits lead wire G1. The prong N of the male plug 18 is connected to theneutral side of the source of electric energy and the prong L isconnected to the other side of the source of power which is commonlyreferred to as the hot line. As is evident from FIGURE 7 the prongs Gand N are electrically connected together which connection may beconveniently accomplished by a jumper wire on the internally disposedterminals for prongs G and N in the male plug 18. The prongs G and N areconnected electrically to the frame 17 through the metal housing 19 andmetal mounting means such as rivets two of which are shown at 26 inFIGURES 2 and 3. Thus the frame 17 is electrically grounded through theprongs G and N as described.

Disposed on the other end portion of the frame 17 is a conventionalfemale electric receptacle indicated at' 21 in FIGURE 1 adapted toreceive in electric connection a plug 21. The heating element 15 iselectrically connected to the internally disposed terminals of thercceptacle 21 which are designated in FIGURE 3 as A, B and C. Leads orconnections A and B lead to the heater element 15 while C is connectedin ground relation with the frame 17 and, if of metalr construction, tothe gutter 12 by a jumper fixed to the gutter pipe or by contact withthe frame 17.

In FIGURE 7 it will be seen that the hot lead L from the source of poweris connected directly to one side of the heater element 15. This isaccomplished structurally within the assembly 16 by means of insulatedwire 22 (FIGURE 4) connecting electrically the prong L of the plug 18with the terminal A of the receptacle 21. Thus when connected asillustrated in FIGURES 1 and 7 the hot lead L from the power source isconnected directly to one side of the heater element 15.

Now in order to complete the circuit from the power source to theheating element 15 the embodiment of the assembly 16 as shown in thedrawing includes two electrolytic switch units indicated generally at 23and 24 in FIGURES 2 and 3. As will be seen from the drawing theelectrolytic switch unit 23 is relatively large in physical size ascompared with unit 24. Therefore the electrolytic switch unit 23 will bedescribed in detail and it may be assumed that switch unit 24 is ofidentical construction except for size. t

Referring now to FIGURE 6Vit will be seen that the electrolytic switchunit 23 comprises a pair of porous, permeable or moisture-absorbentsheets or strips of material 26 and 27 which when dry functions as anelectrical insulating material or dielectric element. While there arenumerous materials available for such purpose it was found thatcommercially available soft asbestos paper functioned quite adequatelyin the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. Sandwiched betweenthe strips 26 and 27 is a metal plate or electrode 28, such as copper,which plate 28 is electrically connected to the other side of theheating element 15 at B as evident from FIGURE 7. This is structurallyaccomplished by soldering or welding insulated conductor or wire 29 toone edge portion of the electrode plate 28 as best seen in FIGURE 6. Theinsulated conductor 29 is connected to prong B of the receptacle 21 asshown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 7. The strips 26 and 27 with the metal plateelectrode 2S sandwiched therebetween as described are secured to theframe 17 compressively by a metal bracket plate 3i) employingconventional securing means such as rivets, two of which are shown at 31and 32 in FIGURE 4. In this respect it will be seen from FIGURE 6 thatin the pile-up or stack-up of members 17, 26, 27 and 36 the receivingholes therethrough for the rivet 31 are properly sized for reception ofthe rivet 31 but the corresponding hole 33 in the electrode plate 28 issubstantially larger for in assembling the switch unit 23 the securingrivets, such as metal rivet 31, must not be in electrical contact withthe electrode plate 28. Should contact of metal rivet 31 be made withthe electrode plate 28 the switch unit 23 would be inoperative for aswill be seen later and in such event the heating element 15 would beenergized constantly which is undesirable. In this respect it is pointedout that the securing means, such as rivet 31, is in contact with theframe 17 which is electrically grounded as previously explained. At thispoint it will be apparent that the electrolytic switch 23 may, ifdesired, be comprised of 'a plurality of first and second electrodespositioned alternately with a dielectric element sandwiched between eachpair of electrodes in pile-up or stack-up relation. The first electrodeswould in such instance correspond electrically to electrode plate 28 andthe second electrodes would correspond electrically to bracket plates 30and frame 17 As will be seen from the drawing the electrolytic switchunit 23 is in elongated form land secured to the underside of the frame17 in rigid relation thereto. A smaller electrolytic switch unit 24 maybe positioned at one end of the assembly 16 to heat the frame 17 whenthe dielectric elements 26 and 27 thereof become wet with water. Sincethe unit 24 is much smaller than unit 23 its internal esistance when wetis greater and hence will generate eat.

FIGURES 9 through 12 illustrate a modified form of the electrolyticswitch assembly designated 16. The modilied assembly 16 includes a maleplug 18a and receptacle 21a mounted on supporting frame 17. Connectedintegrally to one end of the frame 17 is a rnetal arm 34 having a loopedportion 34 at the outer end thereof as shown best in FIGURE 9. Thelooped portion 34 may conveniently be made by bending a portion of themetal strip comprising the arm 34 into a loop and securing the endthereof by any conventional means such as rivet 35. Secured as bywelding or the like transversely to the bottom of the looped portion 34is bracket element 36 having yat least one threaded bore therein as at37. Threadedly iit into one or both of the bores 37 is an adjustingscrew 38. From FIGURE 9 it is thus apparent that by rotating theadjusting screw 38 resting on the upper surface of the Hoor of thegutter 12, the looped portion 34 of arm 34 can be positioned at anyselected distance from the floor of the gutter 12 for a purposedescribed later herein.

Within the looped portion 34 of the arm 34 is an electrolytic switchunit 23. The electrolytic switch unit 23 functions in the same manner asthat of switch unit 23 but is modified in its construction. The switchunit 23 cornprises a pair of elongated dielectric elements or strips 26aand 27a with a copper electrode plate `28a sandwiched therebetween andanother electrode plate 28]) in contact with the opposite side of one ofthe dielectric elements 26a or 27a. .The Adielectric elements 26a and27a t0- gether with the electrodes 28a and .28b are wound spirally andthen flattened to the elongated configuration shown in FIGURE 9 thusforming a multi-layered switch unit 23' having a cross-sectionillustrated in FIGURE 12. The plate electrode 28a is electricallyconnected to B of the receptacle 21a through insulated conductor 29.

The looped portion 34 of the arm 34 being in electrical contact with theframe 17 and electrode 28b is grounded to the prongs G and N in the samemanner as that described for assembly 16. Thus the electricalconnections for the assembly 16' are the same as that for assembly 16shown in FIGURE 7. However, the added advantage of assembly 16 over thatof assembly 16 is the adjustability lby means of screw 38 forcontrolling selectively the distance of the electrolytic switch 23 fromthe tloor of the gutter 12. As will be apparent later herein thisarrangement permits i'low of liquid water in the gutter 12 to apredetermined depth without activating the electrolytic switch 213 thusavoiding the closing of the circuit to the heating element 15 when thegutter 12 is not dammed with ice but draining the water normally.

For operation the electrolytic switch assembly 16 or 16 is positionedwithin a section of the gutter 12 as indicated in FIGURES 5 and 9. Theassembly 16 or 16' preferably should be positioned adjacent to adownspout for rain gutters are slightly sloped toward a downspout toensure complete drainage of water collected from the roof. The assembly16 or 16 is electrically connected as described consistent with thediagram of FIGURE 7.

Now when it rains, sleets or snows the moisture contacts theelectrolytie switch unit 23, 23 or 24, the porous material dielectlicelements 26, 27 or 26a, 27a (eg. asbestos paper) absorbs the moistureforming or completing an electrolytic cell which immediately commencesto conduct electric current from the metal electrode plate 2S and 28a tothe frame 17 or 17 through the bracket plate electrode 30 or, in thecase of `assembly 16', through the looped portion 34 of the arm 34, thusclosing the electrical circuit to the heating element 15. The heatingelement 15 thus energized begins to heat and causes the ice and/ or snowto melt at the point of contact with the heating element 15 to create achannel for the liquid water to flow to the downspout. Water passingover the heating element 15 portion beneath the frame 17 permeates theelectrolytic switch 23 either by immersion or water creepage (migration)along the walls of frame 17 and the switch 23 being electrically invparallel relation with switch 24 thus further decreasing the electricalresist ance of the connection between the heating element 15 and thesource of power. Also the switch 24 being activated warms the frame 17thereby keeping the ice and snow from encasing the frame 17.

When all water collected by the gutter 12 is completely drained thewater in the `dielectric elements (strips 26 and 27 or 26a and 27a)begins to drain and evaporate. As removal of water from the dielectricelements progresses the electrical resistance therethroughcorrespondingly increases and the switch unit (e.g. switch 23) itselfbegins to heat which increases the rate of water removal therefrom. Whenall water from the dielectric elements is thus removed the current flowtherethrough terminates and the temperature of the switch returns toambient temperature. Therefore the heating element 15 is no longerenergized and no power loss is experienced until the assembly 16 or 16is again subjected to the presence of water as above described.

It should be understood that the electrolytic switch 24 may be omittedif desired since the operation of switch 23 or 23 does not depend on theoperation of switch 24.

It should also be understood that the assembly 16 or 16 may contain anydesired number' of electrolytic switches. Obviously the assembly 16 or16 must contain at least one electrolytic switch unit to functionaccording to this invention. It should also be apparent that theassembly 16 or 16' will function equally as well in wooden gutters as inmetal gutters for the gutter does not serve as an electric conductor foroperating the device.

Sometimes ice will iirst begin to form in a downspout adjacent to thepoint of discharge. The opening progressively gets smaller until closureresults which acts like a plug in the downspout and the downspout soonfills and freezes. This is particularly the case when at least the lowerportion of the downspout is in the shade and thus, in the mannerpreviously explained, the trickling water freezes as it cornes intocontact with the colder portion thereof. In such case the assembly 16 or16' would function to energize the heating element 15 after thedownspout became plugged with ice and the water becomes dammed up in thegutter. The net result is that the entire heating element 15 in eitheror both the gutter and downspout is belatedly energized. It thus becomesdesirable in some applications to suspend an electrolytic switch unitwithin the downspout for energizing the heating element 15 disposed inthe downspout which, if desired, may function entirely independent of anassembly 16 or 16 in the gutter, or in the alternative may in someinstances serve in place of assembly 16 or 16. Thus in FIGURE 13 thedownspout 13 connected with gutter 12 is provided with an electrolyticswitch assembly generally indicated at 39 suspended on an insulatedthree-conductor cable 51. vOne end of the cable 51 is attachedelectrically to a male plug 50 removably inserted in receptacle 44 of aconnector member generally indicated at 43. The connector member 43comprises a pair of electric receptacles 42 and 44 mounted side-by-sideon a support member 45 in rigidrelation. The support member 45 mayconveniently be constructed similar to frame 17 or 17'. In addition amale plug 46 similar to plug 18 is rigidly secured to the support member45.

The electrolytic switch assembly 39 may comprise a metal tube 47 open atthe bottom end having a male plug 48 rigidly attached thereto. The plug48 is constructed electrically in the same way as the plugs 46-18 havingground neutral jumper connection. The male plug 48 is inserted into thefemale receptacle 49 of a three-wire electrical extension cord 51 ofstandard construction, having hot, neutral and ground conductor wires.The male plug 50 of extension cable 51 is inserted into receptacle 44 ofconnector member 43. Thus conductors 51a, 51b and 51C connect the metaltube 47 and the switch unit 39a therein to connector member 43 andterminal B of receptacle 42 as shown in FIG. 16.

Inserted in the receptacle 42 is the male plug41 of the heating cable15. The conductor 15" of the heating cable 15 electrically connectscontact A of receptacle 42 to one side of the heating element 15 andtheother conductor 15" electrically connects Vcontact B of receptacle`42 to the other side of the heating element 15 as indicated in dottedlines in FIGURE 16. The plug 46 is electricallyv connected to the sourceof electric energy by receptacle 52, shown in phantom lines in FIGURE13', in the same manner as that described for the plug 18.

Referring now to FIGURE 16 it will be seenthat the hot line L of plug 46is connected to terminal A of receptacle 42 through conductor 53 whichin turn is connected to one side of the heater element 15 throughconductor l. The other side of the heater element 15 through conductorelectrically connects with terminal B of receptacle 42. The terminal Bof receptacle 42 is electrically connected through conductor 54 toterminal D of receptacle 44. Terminal D of receptacle dd is electricallyconnected to the electrode plate 28a of electrolytic switch 39a throughconductors Sib and 56. The outer metal element 55, corresponding to theloop portion 34 of arm 34 in assembly 16', of the electrolytic switchunit 39a, is grounded and also connected to terminal E of receptacle 44through conductor 51a of the cable 51. The terminal E of receptacle 44is grounded by an internally disposed jumper to terminal F which isgrounded at H in the same manner as prongs N and G of plug 46 aregrounded. Thus it will be seen that if moisture enters the dielectricelements of electrolytic switch 39a it closes the circuit therebyenergizing the heating element 15' in the same manner as that describedfor switch 23 of assembly lo or switch 23 of assembly 16. Theelectrolytic switch unit 39a in the metal tube 47 as shown in FIGURE 13is constructed in the same manner as switch 23 of assembly 16 previouslydescribed, the outer metal element 55 grounded at E, H and G as shownwhich also of course grounds the metal tube 47.

Having thus described preferred embodiments of the invention it can thusbe seen that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved andit must be understood that modifications may be made which do not departfrom the spirit of the invention as described in the specification anddrawing herein and the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a drain gutter and drain downspout thereforhaving an electric heating element connectable to a source of electricenergy for inhibiting the formation of ice therein an electricalcircuit, an electrolytic switch device positioned in said drain, saiddevice being sensitive to the presence of water for closing the electriccircuit between said heating element and said source, said devicecomprising a support means, a rst electrode secured to said supportmeans and electrically connected to one side of said source, a secondelectrode mounted in secured relation to said support means andelectrically connected to one electrical side of said heating element,the other electrical side of said heating element being electricallyconnected to the other side of said source, a water permeable dielectricelement disposed between said electrodes in abutting relation, saiddielectric element being at least partly exposed to the atmosphere-whereby atmospheric moisture permeating said dielectric elementcompletes the formation of an electrolytic cell for conducting electriccurrent between said electrodes to close said circuit thereby energizingsaid heating element to inhibit the freezing of water in said drain, anda housing for said dielectric element having top and side Walls only,allowing water access to said switch by water rising in said draingutter.

2. For a drain gutter having an electric heating element connectable toa source of electric energy in energizing relation for inhibiting iceformation in said gutter, an electrical circuit, an electrolytic switchdevice sensitive to the presence of water for closing said circuitcomprising a rst electrode electrically connected to one side of saidcircuit and a second electrode electrically connected to the other sideof said circuit, a water permeable dielectric element disposed betweensaid electrodes in abutting relation and at least partly exposed to theatmosphere whereby water from said atmosphere permeating said dielectricelement completes the formation of an electrolytic cell for conductingelectric current between said electrodes to close said circuit, and ahousing for said dielectric element having top and side walls only,

yallowing water access to said switch by water rising in said draingutter.

3. In combination with a drain gutter having an electric heating elementconnectable `with a source `of electric energy in electric circuitrelation for inhibiting the formation of ice in said gutter, anelectrical circuit, an electrolytic switch device sensitive to thepresence of water, said electrolytic switch device being positioned inexposed relation to the atmosphere in said drain gutter whereby watercontacting said device completes the formation ot an electrolytic cellthereby closing said electric circuit for energizing said heatingelement, when water rises in said drain gutter, and a housing for saidelectrolytic switch having top and side walls only.

4. In combination with a drain gutter and drain downspout thereforhaving a heating element connectable to a source of electric energy forinhibiting the formation of ice therein, an electrical circuit, anelectrolytic switch device sensitive to the presence of water forclosing an electric circuit between said heating element and said sourcecomprising a `frame having top and side walls only, a rst electrodesecured to said frame and electrically connected to one side of saidsource, a second electrode mounted in secured relation to said frame andelectrically connected to one side of said heating element, the otherelectrical side of said heating element being electrically connected tothe other side of said source, and a water permeable dielectric elementdisposed between said electrodes in abutting relation, said dielectricelement being at least partly exposed to the atmosphere, and within saidframe, whereby atmospheric moisture rising in said drain permeating saiddielectric element completes the formation of an electrolytic cell forconducting electric current between said electrodes to close saidcircuit thereby energizing said heating element to inhibit the freezingof water in said drain.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein the position of saidelectrodes with said dielectric element is adjustable in height withrespect to said gutter.

6. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said rst and secondelectrodes with said dielectric elements are wound spirally to increasethe area of surface contact of said electrodes with said dielectricelement to decrease electric resistivity -of said switch whenmoisturized.

7. In combination with a downspout associated with a drain gutter havinga heating element connectable to a source of electric energy inenergizing relation for inhibiting ice 'formation in said downspout, anelectrical circuit, an electrolytic switch device disposed in a closedtubular member open only at the bottom suspended in said downspout, saidelectrolytic switch device being sensitive to the presence of water forclosing said circuit, said switch device comprising a first electrodeelectrically connected to one side of said circuit and a secondelectrode connected to the other side of said circuit, and a waterpermeable dielectric element disposed between said electrodes inabutting relation and at least partly exposed to the atmosphere wherebywater from said atmosphere rising in said downspout permeating saidelectric element completes the formation of an electrolytic cell forconducting electric current between said electrodes to close saidcircuit.

8. The combination of an electrolytic switch device according to claim7, including a connector member having a male plug connectedelectrically to said source of electric energy, a rst receptacle on saidconnector member electrically connected to said heating element, asecond receptacle on said connector member electrically connected tosaid electrolytic switch device, said plug and said receptacles beinginterconnected electrically whereby said heater element is electricallyconnected to said source when w-ater permeates said dielectric elementof said electrolytic switch device for energizing said heating element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Miller 219--213Nutter 20G- 61.05 X Ellison 200-61.05 Michaels 219--213 Ohlheiser340,-234 X Kroening 20G-611.05

RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner.

3. IN COMBINATION WITH A DRAIN GUTTER HAVING AN ELECTRIC HEATING ELEMENTCONNECTABLE WITH A SOURCE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY IN ELECTRIC CIRCUITRELATION FOR INHIBITING THE FORMATION OF ICE AND IN SAID GUTTER, ANELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, AN ELECTROLYTIC SWITCH DEVICE SENSITIVE TO THEPRESENCE OF WATER, SAID ELECTROLYTIC SWITCH DEVICE BEING POSITIONED INEXPOSED RELATION TO TO THE ATMOSPHERE IN SAID DRAIN GUTTER WHEREBY WATERCONTACTING SAID DEVICE COMPLETES THE FORMATION OF AN ELECTROLYTIC CELLTHEREBY CLOSING SAID ELECTRIC CIRCUIT FOR ENERGIZING SAID HEATINGELEMENT, WHEN WATER RISES IN SAID DRAIN GUTTER, AND A HOUSING FOR SAIDELECTROLYTIC SWITCH HAVING TOP AND SIDE WALLS ONLY.